Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly criticized Kyiv's municipal government for inadequate preparation during the ongoing energy emergency, prompting an unusually sharp rebuke from Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who revealed the two leaders have not met personally in four years.
In his 14 January evening address, Zelenskyy announced that First Vice PM Denys Shmyhal would take over as energy minister to handle the crisis triggered by Russian strikes and severe winter weather. He singled out Kyiv for criticism, saying the capital "did significantly less" than other cities—particularly Kharkiv, where "local authorities prepared well."
"Even these days, I don't see intensity," Zelenskyy said, announcing the government would legally declare a state of emergency in the energy sector and eliminate bureaucratic barriers for connecting backup power equipment.
Klitschko's defense: "What intensity don't you see?"
The mayor's response on Facebook was immediate and unsparing.
"What 'intensity' in Kyiv's work during the emergency doesn't the president see, including in recent days, as he said?" Klitschko wrote. He cited his city's response to the devastating Russian attacks: of 6,000 buildings left without heat, only about 400 remain disconnected after days of round-the-clock repairs in bitter cold.
The mayor listed municipal workers fixing damaged critical infrastructure 24/7 in freezing temperatures, energy crews struggling to restore even a few hours of electricity, hospitals and maternity wards being connected to autonomous power sources, social workers delivering hot meals to bedridden elderly residents, and 24-hour staffing at warming centers.
"Such statements devalue the selfless work of thousands of people," Klitschko wrote. "Though they have no weapons in their hands, through their tireless efforts they too are fighting for their country."
Four years of silence
The most striking revelation: "I'm answering you publicly, I apologize. Because over the last four years, Mr. President, we unfortunately haven't met personally even once."
The admission underscores a political rivalry stretching back to 2019, when Zelenskyy's Kvartal 95 comedy sketches regularly lampooned Klitschko's speech patterns. After taking office, Zelenskyy's team attempted to strip Klitschko of his dual role as head of the Kyiv City State Administration—a move that never materialized.
Klitschko dismissed concerns about political optics. "I speak honestly and warn people about the extremely difficult situation. I don't care about ratings or phantom elections."
Crisis context
Kyiv faces its worst winter since Russia's full-scale invasion began. Energy expert Oleh Popenko told Focus that the crisis has no quick fix—what wasn't built over years cannot be remedied in weeks. Residents have electricity for roughly three hours daily, spending ten or more in darkness.
Questions persist about Kyiv's preparedness compared to smaller cities. A recent Euromaidan Press investigation found that Zhytomyr—with far fewer resources—built a distributed power network that kept lights on longer after recent Russian strikes, while Kyiv missed its December deadline for promised cogeneration units.
Zelenskyy announced measures including lifting curfews in cities where security permits and expanding "Points of Invincibility" shelters. Klitschko's response: the city is doing everything possible, as it did from the first days of the full-scale war.
